Workman died on Isle of Wight housing development

It has been reported by the Isle of Wight County Press Online that a construction worker has died as a result of an incident on a demolition project in the town of Newport (IoW).

Firefighters are reported to have used an aerial platform to reach the man who it is believed fell and suffered cardiac arrest. He was taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital and subsequently airlifted to a specialist unit on the mainland.

The BBC report that the deceased workman, David Shayler, aged 53, was working on the demolition site in Atkinson Drive on 13 October.

The exact circumstances surrounding how he was injured are being investigated by HSE and Hampshire Constabulary. Work at the site was suspended following the death.

The Group development director of Southern Housing Group, who are demolishing the former family centre to build homes, told County Press that:

“We are deeply sorry to hear about the death of the construction worker who sustained injuries at one of our sites in Newport last week; our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.

We remain committed to closely working with the relevant authorities and taking the necessary steps to fully investigate this incident.

The site is currently closed and will only be reopened when Southern Housing Group, and all involved parties, are satisfied that it is safe to do so.”

Southern Housing Group is one southern England’s largest housing associations providing homes for more than 67,000 people covering traditional council housing, shared ownership, affordable rent, private market rent or outright sales.